Fireworks fuse connector

ABSTRACT

A device for connecting the fuse of two firework devices is provided. The device has a tubular member, or connector, having a first and second end. The ends of the connector are each adaptable to receive a fuse. When the device is in operation, two fuses, each from a separate firework, are inserted into the connector. This ensures that the flame from one fuse will be effectively transferred to the next. The device may also contain a primer such as gunpowder within the interior of the connector to further ensure transmission of a flame from one fuse to the next.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates, generally, to the field of aerialfireworks, and, more particularly to fireworks fuses and connectors foruse in connecting the fuses of at least two separate aerial fireworks,so that they can be successively safely and dependably fired.

[0002] Often during fireworks shows it is desirable to detonate fireworkdevices in sequence to provide a specific pyrotechnic effect. It isdifficult and not entirely safe to achieve this effect by individuallylighting numerous firework devices in close proximity to one another. Inorder to address this problem, some firework devices have two fuses, onethat is lit to detonate the device and one that transfers the flame to asecond firework device. It has been customary to simply tie the outgoingfuse of one device to the incoming fuse of the next device in order toachieve detonation of numerous devices in sequence. This known method ofconnecting the devices is not entirely effective in that the flame fromone fuse is not always efficiently transferred to the next fuse. Becauseof this, the sequence of detonations may be interrupted, requiring theuser to intervene manually and creating a potentially dangeroussituation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] In a preferred embodiment, the connector also contains a primersuch as gunpowder to further ensure transmission of the flame from onefuse to the next.

[0004] The present invention solves the problems associated with thetying of fuses from two or more separate firework devices in order toachieve a sequential detonation of the same. Disclosed hereafter is afuse connector for aerial fireworks constructed from heavy paper,cardboard, plastic or soft metal. The device is sized and shapedappropriately to receive fuses from two separate firework devices suchthat the fuses are positioned substantially coaxially and adjacent toone another within the connector. The respective ends of two fuseswithin the connector tube may be separated by a primer, such asgunpowder, for example, although the fuses are still in close proximityto one another. During use, as the flame from one fuse travels into theconnector, the flame is confined to a small space inside the tube,adjacent the unlit fuse, thereby ensuring that the unlit fuse will beignited and the sequence of fireworks detonations will proceeduninterrupted.

[0005] In keeping with the above, the invention is, briefly, a devicefor connecting the fuses of two firework devices, said device comprisinga tubular member having a first end and second end, said first end andsaid second end each being sized and shaped appropriately to slidinglyand securely receive a fuse end therein, to thereby permit theconnection of two aerial fireworks for successive firing thereof adevice for safely connecting the fuse of two firework devices.

[0006] Further, the invention is, briefly, a method of successivelyconnecting and lighting at least two aerial fireworks having fuses, themethod including connecting the fuses of each of two adjacent aerialfireworks for successive firing thereof by providing a device having atubular member with a first end and a second end, said first end andsaid second end each being sized and shaped appropriately to slidinglyand securely receive a fuse end therein. Thereafter the method includeslighting a lighting fuse of the first firework and thereby igniting thefuse of the second firework when the connected end of the fuse of thesecond firework is lit by flame produced within the tubular member bythe adjacent end of the connected fuse of the first firework.

[0007] The invention is still further, briefly, a fuse having anelongated tube-shaped connector with a first end and an opposed secondend, a first fuse segment having a first end and a second end, and asecond fuse segment having a first end and a second end. The first endof the first fuse is connectable to an aerial firework and the secondend of the first fuse is connected slideably within the first end of theconnector. The first end of the second fuse segment is connectedslideably within the second end of the connector and the second end ofthe second fuse segment is connected to a second aerial firework, tothereby provide successive lighting of the second aerial firework viathe fuse connector after the first fuse segment has been lit by firingof the first aerial firework

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fireworks fuse connector and fusesfrom two separate firework devices to be connected by the new connectorin accordance with the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the fuse connector and fuses of FIG.1 assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of another embodiment of a fuseconnector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. The position of the fuses from two separate firework devicesis shown adjacent to and on opposite sides of a primer within theconnector, which connector is otherwise the same as shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sequence of aerial fireworksconnected by fuse connectors constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0012] Throughout the figures, like numbers indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, numeral 10 designates generally afuse connector device constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention. Connector 10 has an overall, hollow tube-likeconstruction having an opening at each of two opposed ends, sized andshaped to receive a conventional firework fuse. As such, tubular memberor connector 10 can be used to connect the fuses, 12 and 14, of twoseparate firework devices. Connector 10 is preferably constructed ofheavy paper rolled into the preferred tube-shaped of the connector, butmay also be constructed of other suitable materials such as plastic,cardboard, or soft metals such as copper, zinc, or aluminum, and maytake other forms, rather than a perfectly round tube.

[0014] As best shown in FIG. 2, fuses 12 and 14 are inserted into eitherend of connector 10 until the ends of fuses 12 and 14 are adjacent oneanother in the interior of connector 10. Thus, there is created acontinuous fuse linking two fireworks devices. For example, when adevice having fuse 12 is lit, the flame detonates the firework deviceand then continues to travel along fuse 12 and into connector 10 untilit comes in contact with fuse 14. Because the flame is within anenclosed area, it is assured that fuse 14 will be lit before the flameof fuse 12 is extinguished. The fuse connector of the present inventionis not limited to connecting two aerial fireworks in serial fashion, butcould be used to connect any number of aerial fireworks in any sequenceor pattern depending upon the arrangement and placement of the fuses andconnectors.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, fuse connector 10is provided with a primer, such as a portion of gunpowder, located nearthe center of the connector. In this embodiment of the device, when theflame travelling along fuse 12 enters connector 10, it comes intocontact with primer 16, causing a small and contained explosion withinthe interior of the connector. This ignition of primer 16 furtherensures that fuse 14 will, in fact, be ignited inside of connector 10and the sequential detonation of the fireworks devices will continueuninterrupted.

[0016]FIG. 4 provides an illustration of a series of aerial fireworksconnected by fuse connectors constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. The operation of such connectedfireworks is explained below. An incoming fuse 26 is ignited by a matchor other flame-bearing device. When the flame reaches aerial firework20, aerial firework 20 is detonated, producing a pyrotechnic displayspecific to that device. Outgoing fuse 12 from aerial firework 20continues to burn after the detonation of aerial firework 20, burningalong the length of fuse 12 and into the interior of connector 10. Oncethe flame reaches the end of fuse 12, inside the interior of connector10, it comes into contact with fuse 14. Preferably, a primer such asgunpowder may also be added to the interior of connector 10 to furtherensure that the flame reaches fuse 14. Fuse 14 then begins to burn untilaerial firework 22 is detonated. This procedure is repeated with respectto the fuses leading form aerial firework 22 and into aerial firework24.

[0017] It is important to note that the character of the aerialfireworks show produced by connecting aerial fireworks devices with thefuse connectors of the present invention can be customized by adjustingthe position and length of the fuses, and the position of theconnectors. For example, creating longer fuses between certain aerialfirework devices will cause an increased delay between the detonation ofone aerial firework in the series and the detonation of the next.Further, multiple fuses could be used, rather than simply an incomingand outgoing fuse, to created complex patterns of detonation. In eachcase, connectors constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention can be used to ensure the safe and efficientdetonation of each connected aerial firework device.

[0018] The foregoing constitutes a description of various features ofcertain embodiments of the present invention. Numerous changes to thepreferred embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit andscope of the Hence, the scope of the invention should be determined withreference not to the preferred embodiment, but to the following claims:

1. A device for connecting the fuses of two firework devices, saiddevice comprising a tubular member having a first end and second end,said first end and said second end each being sized and shapedappropriately to slidingly and securely receive a fuse end therein, tothereby permit the connection of two aerial fireworks for successivefiring thereof.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular member isconstructed of paper.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the tubularmember is constructed of cardboard.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein thetubular member is constructed of plastic.
 5. The device of claim 1wherein the tubular member is constructed of metal.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, and further comprising a primer contained within the interiorof said tubular member between the substantially adjacent ends of twofuses within the connector, said primer being ignitable when contactedby a flame.
 7. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a primercontained within the interior of said tubular member, said primer beinggunpowder.
 8. A method of successively connecting and lighting at leasttwo aerial fireworks having fuses, the method comprising: connecting thefuses of each of two adjacent aerial fireworks for successive firingthereof by providing a device having a tubular member with a first endand a second end, said first end and said second end each being sizedand shaped appropriately to slidingly and securely receive a fuse endtherein, and lighting a lighting fuse of the first firework and therebyigniting the fuse of the second firework when the connected end of thefuse of the second firework is lit by flame produced within the tubularmember by the adjacent end of the connected fuse of the first firework.9. A fireworks fuse comprising: an elongated tube-shaped connectorhaving a first end and an opposed second end, a first fuse segmenthaving a first end and a second end, and a second fuse segment having afirst end and a second end; the first end of the first fuse beingconnectable to an aerial firework and the second end of the first fusebeing connected slideably within the first end of the connector, and thefirst end of the second fuse segment being connected slideably withinthe second end of the connector and the second end of the second fusesegment being connected to a second aerial firework, to thereby providesuccessive lighting of the second aerial firework via the fuse connectorafter the first fuse segment has been lit by firing of the first aerialfirework
 10. The fuse of claim 9, and further comprising a primerdisposed within the connector between the second end of the first fusesegment and the first end of the second fuse segment.
 11. The fuse ofclaim 10, wherein the primer is gunpowder.